USC Upstate Password Reset
Your USC Upstate password is used for your Microsoft Office 365 email, logging on to the computers on campus and Spartan GreenSky, and accessing the library databases. If you are locked out of your account, or you have forgotten the password, you can follow the steps below to reset your password.
Please note that the complexity requirements for your USC Upstate password are as follows:
- Must contain a minimum of 8 characters
- Must include at least one of each of the following:
- Uppercase letter
- Lowercase letter
- Number
- Special character
- Must NOT include anything considered to be personally identifiable information, such as any part of your name or username
- Cannot be one of the last 10 passwords you have used
Before you can reset your password online, you will need to set up a recovery option. If you are a new student you should be prompted to do this after logging in with the initial password mailed out to you. Otherwise, follow the steps below:
1. Open your internet browser and go to this link: aka.ms/ssprsetup
2. If you email address is already shown just click to select it. If it is not shown, click "Use another account".
3. Type your email address and password and select "Sign in".
3. On the “Don’t lose access to your account!” screen you can add a new, or update your existing, authentication phone and authentication email. When you are finished making your changes select "Finished" or “Looks good” and you are done.
Before completing these steps, you will need to set up the password recovery options above. If you have not set these up and have forgotten your password, you will need to contact the Help Desk at (864) 503-5257. Once you have your recovery method set up, you can reset your password at any time by following the steps below:
1. Go to this link: passwordreset.microsoftonline.com
2. Type in your email address and the characters in the picture. Then click “Next”.
3. Choose your contact method (alternate email or phone). Once you receive the verification code, type it in the box.
4. Create your new password and click "Finish".
Please note that the complexity requirements for your USC Upstate password are as follows:
- Must contain a minimum of 8 characters
- Must include at least one of each of the following:
- Uppercase letter
- Lowercase letter
- Number
- Special character
- Must NOT include anything considered to be personally identifiable information, such as any part of your name or username
- Cannot be one of the last 10 passwords you have used
If you suddenly start receiving thousands of spam messages, or you find that your account has been locked, don't panic. Most likely your account was compromised due to responding to a phishing email. An example of a typical phishing email can be found below:
This notification is to inform account operators to confirm your verification to avoid account shut down because if you receive this email your account is not verified.
VERIFY NOW
Remember that the Help Desk will never send out any emails asking you to verify your account. If your account has fallen victim to a phishing attack, here are the steps to take to get it unlocked.
- Call the Help Desk at (864) 503-5257 and inform us that your account is locked/compromised. The Help Desk will then unlock your account.
- After waiting at least 30 minutes, go to passwordreset.microsoftonline.com and reset your password, making sure it is not one you have used before.
- Login to your email at email.uscupstate.edu. If you notice anything suspicious, such as not receiving emails from instructors, inform the Help Desk.